Enduro3 2008: Another Siver

So, Enduro3 2008 brought me a second position, the second time in the OPEN MIX category. Mission Accomplished of 80kms Cycling + 90kms Trekking in 28 Hours...

I was undoubtedly with the National Defence Academy, which needs no introduction. The cadets are finest and the bravest young men. My Team Mates were ACA Yogesh Hirekar and CDT. Shravan Kumar.

We all reached the 'Go' around 7h. We came to know that the go is at 10h15. We decided not to spend our energy waiting for 3 hours, we decided to sleep/rest in our buses/stallions. Stallions are the huge army green color trucks we see transporting army personnel and their kids to schools. Around 9h45 we started getting our bikes ready.

The 'go' for the 40+ men was the first, followed by amateur teams last was the professional category. This was one of the worst decision taken and a big blow to professional category, as we were going to cover the longest distance. This made our wait at every TC and PC longer. (TC: Time Control and PC is Passage Control. TC gives us the time we entered and PC ensures partcipants do not take any short cuts) We entered NDA and at the 1st hill, there was a very long queue. We had to get ahead as we needed to cover longer distance, so we asked all the teams to let us ahead and all of them co-operated, understanding that we have to cover a longer distance. What the organisers failed to understand, our competitors understood, Thank you All.

Now was our race was without food/water and we raced many kilometers. 'Every second counts,' was our mood. And there one could see, cadets pulling me, carrying my bag etc. Hirekar and Shravan continued to encourage me.

We reached TC's and PC's we overtook many Non-Open category teams. Though they were not our competitors overtaking them gave us a boost in our confidence. We reached Tekpole. The route from Bhalawadi to Tekpole was tough, and my frustration for the route had just begun.This road was taken under development and was dug. It was dusty and we could hardly see 100 mts ahead of us. And to top it as it was mostly upslopes. Finally we reached Tekpole and, our hike from Tekpole started. We were just crossing the meandering river. It wasn't pleasant, we could see the lights of the PC, but it took us 2 hours to get there, it was insane. The meandering banks of the backwater dint seem to end, finally when they ended, and We reached the PC at 21h, I screamt and howled at the organisor the minute I saw him. I belived that this was the most 'inhumane' route'. I believed that I had the right to say this as this was my 3rd enduro in the Proffesional Category and I knew the past routes. I was almost in tears with Shravan and Hirekar consoling me.

From 21h-2h30 was one of the best sleep I have had in the past 2 years. Hirekar and Shravan volunteered to do the River Crossing. So now we had to start at 2.45 in the morning. All the NDA teams went to gether, and we covered up most of our distance. Hirekar and Shravan continued to encourage me!!!

We reached the Panshet water sports center at 6.30, and then continued trekking till 16h till Tekople,where we left our bikes the previous day. From 6h30 to 16 hours, we covverred the dreadful climb to Koshimghar. At the 11h-2pm trek sucked all our energy. I was dead tired at the end of the trekking route, had cramps from my knees to my foot, I could barely even pick up my foot. in This stage my partners carried me on their shoulders and walked a distance of 5 kms. Now our bags were with with one cadet and i was on the shoulders of another one. They walked faster after carrying me on their shoulders. Hats off to them, may the strength and the courage last for ever. Then we took our bikes and whizzed past from Tekpole to Panshet because what was upslope for us now was all downslope. Now my feet had become numb to the pain and cycling is always my strong point, I could cover up all the time I lost in trekking.

There were many criticisms on me personally. Eg. I dint have to carry my bag, when I was tired, We did not carry our sleeping bags with us after the night and were helped by the boys in OPen all men Category by giving us food and water.

What I believe that this is one of the benefits of going out with NDA, we are an institution, wherever we go, we are together in competiting against the world. We are the responsibility of NDA even when we are in the race and not of NEF. The organisors get forms signed from us that THEY ARE NOT responsible for any any kind of injury, death or mishap, under any circumstances. NDA gets no formed signed from anyone, they believe we are their responsibility. For this they have a officer waiting at Panshet water sports center, who if required will manage any medical treatement for us. The bonding between NDA'ites is of course more than a team from software companies, they have the same values and same thinkings. I belive that this is team work and not 'Help' as put against us. Teams who have members giving up after sometime come together and form teams and complete the race. 2 teams, may be not be in the same category but are doing the race together, would that mean help/team work. The cadets are strong and help physically as well whats wrong in that. We carry all the compulsory material as written in the rule book, and we do follow the rules, what wrong did my team do, I believe nothing.

I like to than thank my mother and brother for letting me live a non-restricted life, Lt. Cdr. Sridhar Tata, Sqn. Ldr. Vivek Singh, Lt. Venkat, Lt. Ashwani Trichal and Lt. Kapil M Sati for giving me an opportunity to participate with NDA.

Hope to see you again!

Mansi

PS: This is my personal blog, and hence the comments stated above are my personal comments, The NDA, the officers of NDA, NEF, Marshals, Organisors have no say in my blog.

I need a team.............

Hey,

I am looking for a team. I would want to go with a Deffence forces team.. in pro category, can anyone help me?
mail me ASAP on mansi2004@gmail.com
Thanks..

River Crossing Another do'

So, I just forgot this very important do's in the previous blog:

Carry a pair of extra PT shoes: So these are the thin soles pt shoes which we usually wore for PT lessons in school. they cost around Rs. 100. These shoes are to be worn during river crossing. In river crossing there are many stones/gravel which could hurt our feet. And we have a big trek after that, and if we wear our shoes for trekking and cycling they are likely to give blisters.

Hence just use these PT shoes and of course an extra pair of socks just for river crossing and later give them to the villagers...as wet shoes are heavy to carry all the way!

Enduro3 2008

So now my practice for Enduro3 2008 is in full swing.

The first day, I went I completed 21 kms. The second day 40kms. the third was 11 km cycling+climb Sinhagad+come down+ 11 kms.

I love these practice sessions. All, the Officers in-charge are friendly and the cadets too.

I am looking forward for another win, but this time as 'gold medalist' and not silver!

I would be a fool to loose after such good practice sessions and support from the Academy!

Do's and Dont's for Enduro3

So here I go giving away some gyan some do's and dont's for Enduro3.

Do's:

1. Bike: Use a bike which you use regularly. So that you are used to the obstacles it creates. Try not to rent a bike, In case you have no option but to rent a bike, get the serviced 100%, there you will realise that renting+servicing+some cash will give you a new bike. Next year, you can rent/give this bike, but putting a notice on the notice board of our company, asking NEF, there will be a great demand for this.
2. Bike: get the tyres and tubes changed before the D-day. This is to ensure trouble-free race.
   
3. Bike: Carry extra tyres tubes. in case of a puncture just remove the old tyre tube and put in the new one, this saves time and energy. However carry the puncture mending kit with you as the organisers are strict with the compulsory equipment.
4. One day before the D-Day: Take rest, but just stretching, a half an hour bike session in the morning would be good but don't over do.
5. One day before the D-Day: Drink alot of water, you should just leave the count of liters and drink infinite amount of water and 'neembu sharbat' ie. sweet and salted lime water. This is to ensure the correct level of salts and water content and that you do not get dehydrated.
   
6. Food: I know every one would know this. But still..Lots of dryfruits but saltless, the salt ones would make you thirsty, peanuts and jaggery (mixed to gether), chocolates, sweets, lime, sugar and salt, etc so that you can make sweet and salted lime water. drinking water during the race is very crucial in order to ensure that one doesn't dehydrate. Methi parathas are ideal for this race as they dont get spoilt
   
7. Before the Race: Try and see the route. Try and trek especially the Bhalawadi-Thangaon patch.
8. Tentative route: This is the 6th year and all the 6 years the route has been on the same lines with some variations. Start(somewhere in Pune city)- Paud road- NDA- A loop inside NDA (either cycling/trekking)-Peacock Bay- Splendor Country- Trio Farms- Crossing that bridge which comes after taking a left(dont remember that sign)- Panshet Water sport center- Bhalawadi. Till here it was cycling. At Bhalawadi one keeps their bike, Then either they are transported by motor boat to Thangaon or they trek to Thangaon and then they transported by motor boat to their bikes. Then some cycling/ trekking and thats the End. Then the Amateurs, corporates, IT, and non-professional Category end the race here, Pro people continue.
9. On the D-day: There are certain deadlines to reach a particular TC/ PC...make sure you follow the deadlines. Ask the organisers and make sure you are aware of them.
10. Team Mates: Try and know your team mates strengths-weaknesses. Working under pressure-heat- less amenities, would be one of the greatest experiences.
    Worst of worst case one team mates decides to quit, It is recommended that the other must continue.
    
11. Rule book-Last but not the least..Read the Rule book. You must know all rules by heart.

All the best! Enjoy the Race, May the best team Win.

Enduro3

Here goes another story about Enduro3, an Adventure race in Pune, India.

We always practiced in the NDA campus. We saw deer, peacoks and alot of wildlife. During the race, when participants see deer running besides them they just want to stop the competition and enjoy Mother Nature.

The best part about the Adventure race is the well designed route. We are just so close to Nature. Trees whistling, the wind blowing, it all looks like a dream. Yes the day's are a little hot, but that’s only when we have to go upslope, down slope on our bike is another experience. Imagine yourself whizzing down at an amazing speed.

Drinking the pure water from Panshet Dam, sleeping at night in star lit skies is a dream come true for an adventurer. After cycling for 100kms, the sleep at night in a sleeping bag is even more comforting than on a soft mattress in an air conditioned room. We even dream of all the tough times we faced, the way we pulled ourselves, cheering our team mates. A sense of achievement grips us for a long time even after the race.

I love Enduro3 for bringing close to Nature, strengthening my determination and giving me life long friends. So do you feel like experiencing all this?

Write to me on Mansi@sportzvillage.com for further information on 2008 Enduro3 organized on 8 and 9th of February 2008.

Enduro3- Experiencing real nature

Here goes another story about Enduro3, an Adventure race in Pune, India.

We always practiced in the NDA campus. We saw deer, peacocks and a variety of wildlife. During the race, when participants see deer running besides them they just want to stop the competition and enjoy Mother nature.

The best part about the Adventure race is the well designed route. We are just so close to Nature. Trees whistling, the wind blowing, it all looks like a dream. Yes the day's are a little hot, but that's is only when we have to go upslope, downslope on our bike is another experience. Imagine yourself whizzing down at an amazing speed.

Drinking the pure water from Panshet Dam, sleeping at night in star lit skies is a dream come true for an adventurer. After cycling for 100kms, the sleep at night in a sleeping bag is even more comforting than on a soft mattress in an air conditioned room. We even dream of all the tough times we faced, the way we pulled ourselves, cheering our team mates. A sense of achivement grips us for a long time even after the race.

I love Enduro3 for bringing close to Nature, strengthening my determination and giving me life long friends..So do you feel like experiencing all this?

Write to me on mansi2004@gmail.com for further information on 2008 Enduro3 organised on 8 and 9th of February 2008.